Bill Clinton No Longer Black

One of the nation’s most influential African-American political leaders sharply criticized former President Bill Clinton on Thursday afternoon for what he called his “bizarre” conduct during the Democratic primary campaign. The black leader, Representative James E. Clyburn, an undeclared superdelegate from South Carolina and the third-ranking Democrat in the House, said “black people are incensed over all of this.”

In an interview with The New York Times late Thursday, Mr. Clyburn said Mr. Clinton’s conduct in this campaign had caused what might be an irreparable breach between Mr. Clinton and an African-American constituency that once revered him.

“When he was going through his impeachment problems, it was the black community that bellied up to the bar,” Mr. Clyburn said. “I think black folks feel strongly that this is a strange way for President Clinton to show his appreciation.”

First of all, Clyburn and other Black leaders should have realized what they were dealing with in Bill Clinton. Yet, they didn’t. Instead of seeing him as a master politician saying and doing things which would benefit him directly, they saw in him a figure of power who cared about the plight of the Black man. Shame on them.

The funny thing is, Bill Clinton is so self absorbed he doesn’t even know the Black guys are mad at him. And even when confronted with it, he still doesn’t believe it could be possible. Talk about living in an alternate universe.

The fact is, that bridge has been burned. Bill Clinton is no longer Black.